Giving LGBTI elders a voice

LGBTI aged-care education group Val’s Cafe is holding a session for aged-care service providers this month to help them better understand the needs of LGBTI seniors.

The session — Sexuality, diversity and ageing — will be held on Thursday, October 13 and aims to help aged-care service providers deal with the sexual expression of older people and confront some of the myths and stereotypes around ageing and sexuality.

A 2008 Victorian report into aged-care services, My People, showed aged-care service providers are neglecting issues facing the ageing LGBTI population and some elderly people stay closeted for fear of adverse treatment.
Victoria is currently celebrating its annual Seniors Festival. The weeklong festivities run until Sunday, October 9.